Seed germinator



July 12 1927.

o. H. PERSHIGNG' SEED GERMINATOR Filed May 12, 1926 2 sheets-sheet. 1;

.N'V'ENTOR OEFersizz'rzj A-rro RNEY July 12, 1927.

o. H. PERSHING SEED GERMINATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' Filed May 12. 1926INVENTOR- v ATTORNEY WlTNESS:

- Patented 12,1927. I v H UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

o nmrus nowmn'raasnme, or nuncm nmmna;

' sann onannuron.

Application filed Kay 12, 1926. 8erlal No. 108,708.

This invention relates to seed test' or sprouting devices and has forits object the provision of a novel device by means of which samples ofseeds of different kinds may be germinated or sprouted to make a testfor ascertaining whether or not the bulk of the seeds from which thesamples are means being of the barometric type such asis used inconnection with automatic poultry waterers and the like, the arrangementin the present instance being such that wateris supplied freely throughthe material to a v certain depth and caused to permeate the revart.

mainder by capillary action so that conditions will remain practicallyconstant or uniform for insuring the maximum efliciency of the device ingerminating. the seeds especially inasmuch as adequate ventilating meansis provided.

. An additional object is to provide a device of this character whichwill'be simple and inexpensive in manufacture, eas to use,- positiveinaction, eificient and u'rable in service, and a general improvement inthe With the above and other objects and ad-- vantages in view, theinvention consists in the details of construction and the arrangement ofparts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through one form of thedevice ready for use.

Figure 2 is a section through the pan alone, I

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the cups, and f Figure .4 is across section through another orm.

. Referring more particularly to the drawm-gs, and especially Figures -1to 3, I have shown the device as comprising a pan lO of suitable size,shape and material adapted to be filled to any desired depth withgravel, sand, suitable soil .or other absorbent material indicated at11; At a point spaced above its bottom the pan is provided in its sidesand ends with up er and lower rows or-series of holes 12-and 13.

Disposable in one-end of the pan to restupon the bottom thereof'is afountain or reservoir structure l tconsisting of a receptacle 15 havinga cap or other closure 16 perforated at its side edges as shown at 17.

This receptacle is to be filled with water and placed within the panprior to the filling thereof with the soil or other material and the.water within the receptacle will flow,

slowly out through the perforations 17 and soak or thoroughly wet thebottom portion of the material, in fact up to the'level of the lowerseries of holes 13.- Above this point or level the material becomes moistened by the capillary action, the moisture being drawn upwardly and ofcoprse slowly evaporating from the surface of the material. The upperrow of holes 12 will provide means for ventilation whereas the lower vrow will act to prevent the level of saturation b free water frombecoming excessively igh "to avoid drowning any sprouted seeds at theupper portion of the material.

Large seeds indicated at 18 may be pressed downwardly into thematerial'11 to any desired depth as indicated in Figure 1 and disposedindividually whereas smaller seeds indicated at 19 are generallydeposited in pinches onto the surface of the material and then lightlypressed in.

If desired, use may-be made of any number of cups 20 which areeitherbottomless as shown or perforated to permit passage of moisturetherethrough, the utilization of such cups providing means wherebydifferent kinds of seeds maybe kept separate, Obviously, after theproper length of time the seeds. placed within the material will sproutif fertile andby inspecting them it may be ascertained whether or notthe bulk of the seeds from which those have been drawn for the test willbe of good or poor quality. Of course the device need not be used for.testing as it can be employed to sprout seeds for any purpose and thereis no limitation in this respect.

In Figure 4, I have illustrated what I may call the tion, an k observedthat I have provided a pan 21 which, though of any desired size andshape, as well as material, is preferably circular inplan with outwardlyaring sides provided (preferred embodiment of the invenreferringto this;figure it will be 'witha series of holes 220i desired diameter andsimply resting upon the bottom thereof spaced a considerable distanceabove the bottom. Located within the center of this pan terial of anequivalent nature may be used though burlap isspecified as being highlysuitable for the purpose and .also as being very inexpensive and easilyobtainable. The seeds to be germinated, which seeds are indicated-at 27,are preferably located between the layers, strips or'pieces of burlap orother material and it is quite clear that the water seeping out of thereservoir through the per.- forations 25 in the cover 24 thereofwilleffectually saturate or moisten the burlap-or other. material andthereby moisten the seed 1 v [to such an extent that they will germinatein the customary I and well known manner. .v

Obviously, the holes 22 permit the escape of any surplus'water which mayleave the jar so that there will be always a proper supply;

While I have shown and described. the preferred embodiment of theinvention, it should be understood that I reserve the right to make suchchanges inthe form, construction and arrangement of parts as will notdepart from the spirit of the invention or-the swipe of the subjoinedclaim;

aving thus described the invention, I claim l I A" device of the prisinga container filled with permeable material, a barometric fountain meanswith; in the container for constantly supplying water to the materialtherein at the lower portion of said material, said container beingprovided with upper; and lower series of holes, the lower serie's actingto prevent .ex-

cessive rise of the. levelbf freewater enter mg a'he material and theupperseries providi entilati'ng means.

ture.

o YNTHUs HOWARD PERSHINGQ,

In testimony whereof I aflix my signa character described com-

